New York bans first responders from selling patient information

New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Oct. 7 signed legislation prohibiting emergency response providers from disclosing or selling private patient information to third parties.

Previously, state law permitted first responders to sell patient information such as addresses, phone numbers, prescriptions and medical history. The new law prohibits this disclosure, except to healthcare providers, the patient's insurer and parties acting under appropriate legal authority.

"This law sets clear guidelines so patient information isn't sold or used for marketing purposes and most importantly doesn't end up in the wrong hands," Mr. Cuomo said in a news release.

Edward Braunstein, D-N.Y., first introduced the legislation in 2014 after several reports found that some New York emergency service providers may have been selling protected health information for fundraising and marketing.